I wonder... Do you love your job?

Maybe "love" is too strong of a term. Do you even like your job?

I'm not going to say that I love waking up at 5:30 every morning to go work for 9 hours, but I will say that I adore where I am, who I am with, and what I am doing. And I feel so very blessed by that.

Today should have been one of "those days". You know - the days where you need a drink. Or the days where you order takeout because you're too tired to move or cook. And the gym? Eff that noise.

What today really was...  An example of hard work, teamwork and communication. When the correct expectations are set with the right group of people, well, great things happen. And, at the end of the day, you can go work out and cook your own meal. Maybe even write a blog about it.

It's not always bubbles & gumdrops, but my good days definitely outweigh my "those days".

So, if I haven't been blogging, then what have I been doing?

Valid question.

I have two answers:

1. I have been OUT. Seriously. Working. Eating. Drinking. Yoga-ing. I've been living it up. That's what your twenties are for, yes?

2. I got a sinus infection that left me somewhat bedridden and extremely addicted to Downton Abbey.

Oh. What's a girl to do?

So, hi! I love you. February and I were busy. And I appreciate your patience. xo.

My mom had a conversation about boys & dating & friends with my little sister the other day. She told her that she doesn't need to have a boyfriend to be someone or to be cool. She told her that she was a wonderful someone all on her own. And she reminded Rebecca that I didn't have a special someone right now or all of the time and she asked if Rebecca thought I was sad or had a bad life. Rebecca told my mom, "No. I think she's happy and has a really good life." And I do. Truly.

Occasionally, I feel lonely and want someone to take care of me when I'm sick or be my permanent date to sappy movies or to bring me flowers for no reason at all, but not all the time. My independence is empowering. My community is overwhelming and uplifting. I like who I am and I think other people do, too.

I think sometimes I forget why I am the way I am though. I wasn't born a nice and optimistic person. Those are traits that are cultivated. My good traits were grown and they were grown by Jesus. He was introduced to me at a young age and has stayed by my side ever since... through everything I  have done - good or bad. I am who I am because of Him. I want to be more like Him because he was a pretty amazing person. Not only because I believe He died for me (that's another fantastic thing in itself), but because he was kind, intelligent, and inviting. He was dynamic in creating life around Him! (I also like to think he was funny, but I can't prove it.) He was the kind of person this world needs more of and if that's what the world needs, then I want to be it.

"Let's go with Jesus. Not the gay-hating, war-making political tool of the Right, but the outcast, subversive, supreme adept who preferred the freaks and lepers and despised and doomed to the rich and powerful." - John Cusack (on his hero in Vanity Fair)

Source: Uploaded by user via Cheryl on Pinterest

Tonight I cried.

Nothing bad happened. Nothing sad occurred.

I just listened to Jump Little Children and

I felt the overwhelming feeling of loneliness for a moment.

And I cried.

It's okay to cry sometimes.

via instagram

Source: kenzamiriam.tumblr.com via Erin on Pinterest

I am sitting on the interwebs before Girl's Night Out. I actually haven't touched my computer since early Thursday afternoon so I think I was feeling the pang of separation anxiety. I mean, my iPhone is very good at keeping me company, but it's just not the same to someone who loves typing.

Is it weird that I really love typing? I mean, I do that for a living. Type. A lot. That's still not the same as it is for me to sit down and type out a blog. I love blogging. I've definitely missed it for the past week. My Google Reader is blowing up and there are so many links I want to share in Links I Love, but goodness know I cannot share them all. We'd all be here for days.

In the meantime, I am ready for summer. How about you? I mean sure, winter is nice.... You get to wear scarves and drink things like hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps without feeling like an alcoholic, but let's get real. Summer is where it's at. Kayaks, the beach and camping. Tank tops, iced coffee, and tans. And you can drink fun frozen cocktails without feeling like an alcoholic. Hiiiii, Summer! I want you to come early.

Ok. That's all I have time for right now. xoxo.

Remember how I told February to get ready? Well, it did! I have been so super busy between work and life that I haven't had much time and/or energy to hit the blog. Honestly, I have a couple hundred posts I need to catch up on reading... Oy to the vey.

I am going on vacation for 5 whole days soon, so you all will definitely my top priority, but until then I leave you with this gem - it premieres at The American Theatre on February 22 in lovely downtown Charleston, SC. xo.

The Garden Summer Trailer from Hailey Wist on Vimeo.

In the summer of 2010, a group of Charleston natives set out for rural Arkansas in search of their green thumbs. The Garden Summer follows them as they get to know each other, the art of gardening, and the joy of sustainable living.  - Charleston City Paper

Dear February,

Let's do it to it, ok?

xo.